Wet viviparity

Chapter 722 Tiger Play, Obtaining the True Method
Jiang Shenhu understood that when Hei Xiao's violent temper flared up, he would become arrogant and conceited, and would not listen to the advice of others. So he said, "Now, the four families of Ji, Jiang, Zhao and Zheng in the True Spirit Sect each have their own outstanding figures. As long as you can fight and defeat them, your family will definitely consider the matter of magic treasures."

Speaking of this, Jiang Shenhu thought of the treasure banner that Dalang took away when Hei Xiao was born.

Over the years, Da Lang has made quite a name for himself thanks to that Buddhist treasure, and even earned the title of "Hand of the Void" within the sect. Then there's Si Lang, who, ever since he got that yellow gourd, has been nowhere to be seen and has been acting strangely all the time.

For this reason, he felt somewhat guilty towards Black Owl, but unfortunately, Black Owl was often violent, liked to be active and disliked stillness, and had no patience. If it weren't for the extremely strict rules he had set up over the years, this kid would have gone out and harmed the area long ago.

Now that Black Owl has taken the initiative to propose practicing the righteous and profound arts, he might as well grant his request.

If Black Owl can resolve the violence in his heart soon, then his Jiang family can gain another outstanding Daoist, bringing glory to the family.

“Our family’s rule has always been that one is taught the arts only when one’s physical constitution has fully developed at the age of thirteen. However, since you have already decided to learn the Dao and your physical body is naturally strong, it is fine to start learning the Dao a year earlier.” Jiang Shenhu, dressed in a plain cloak with wide sleeves, sat upright on a futon and had Hei Xiao kneel down in front of him.

Knowing he was about to receive the sect's true teachings, Black Owl immediately composed himself and knelt down in worship.

The essence of the "Six Jia Spirit Flying Strategy Essence Book" lies in "the movements of bears and birds, imitating the myriad forms of beasts, and refining the myriad shapes." Therefore, it places great emphasis on dynamic exercises and is adept at using force to push Qi.

The first chapter, "Bird and Bear Chapter," contains six spiritual guiding exercises, namely the six exercises of rat, dog, monkey, horse, dragon, and tiger, which are divided into twelve forms. These exercises can stimulate qi and blood, and open up the twelve regular meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians.

Your nature is like a newly forged blade, sharp yet easily broken, containing an inner fire of turbidity, not destined for longevity. Now I will teach you the Tiger Play, one of the six plays and twelve forms, to emulate the mountain tiger's posture, guiding your masculinity, transforming ferocity into resilience. Watch carefully—”

After speaking, Jiang Shenhu lowered his body slightly, and Hei Xiao felt a tiger-like aura emanating from the old man opposite him, which made his scalp tingle.

Jiang Shenhu's palms suddenly pressed down on the cold, hard floor tiles, his five fingers slightly bent as if containing immense power, his knuckles like hooks, his heels firmly planted on the ground, which was the beginning of the "limbs off the ground" stance in the Tiger's Strike.

"The tiger's might lies in its spine!"

Before the words were even finished, his back was suddenly pulled back like a large bow, and his shoulder blades rose up like peaks.

In a flash, he lunged forward three times with tremendous speed, his clothes rustling as he tore. The ferocity of a hungry tiger fighting its prey in this Tiger Claw stance caused the blood to drain from Black Owl's face, leaving him feeling only a chill on his skin.

Immediately, Jiang Shenhu's shoulder and back strength surged back like a tide, and he took two steps back steadily. Between movements, his strength was released and released like breathing, and his muscles and bones faintly emitted a muffled rumbling sound. This is the technique within the Tiger's Grip Form.

In Black Owl's body, Ji Ming's primordial spirit had already descended into this body.

He stood by, holding his breath, and saw that the back of the Jiang family head surged like a dragon or snake, as if an invisible force was rushing and colliding between his joints. This was the subtle internal energy of the Tiger Play.

"Stretch your waist and turn your legs, look up at the sky and roar, and you will release your pent-up emotions!"

With a low shout, Jiang Shenhu stretched his back and waist like a long river rolling back to the sky, turning his head to the side and pointing his chin straight to the top of his head.

At this moment, the muscles and bones of its neck were clearly visible, and a low, deep tiger roar faintly rolled from its throat, causing the dense, cloud-like smartweed flowers outside the riverbank to fall in a rustling sound. Hundreds of roosting egrets and gulls were startled and flew into the air, only to fall dead one after another.

At the same time, he kicked out with one foot like a steel whip, the force of which swept across the room, causing the tables, chairs and people inside to sway, but nothing was injured.

Upon witnessing this purely physical skill, "Black Owl" was captivated and his mind was shaken. He couldn't help but want to perform a hand seal in praise. He barely managed to restrain himself, but then he felt the restlessness in his chest caused by his ferocity being drawn in by the silent tiger's roar, and it began to waver.

"Skill is close to the Way!"

He secretly thought.

"Second Form: Tiger Crouching, move forward and backward seven times each, and the cycle of Qi is complete!"

Jiang Shenhu returned to a squatting position, his body as steady as a mountain. He began to advance and retreat, each move carrying immense power yet flowing smoothly. The movements appeared fierce and unparalleled, but only after completing seven advances and seven retreats could one glimpse the hidden, cyclical, and inexhaustible energy within.

A faint white mist rose from Jiang Shenhu's body, not the ethereal aura of a celestial being shrouded in clouds and mist, but a natural phenomenon of surging blood and slightly steaming sweat, which caused a slight resonance with the rising aura of "Black Owl".

"Come and try."

Jiang Shenhu finished his stance, becoming as steady as a mountain. He encouraged him with words, saying, "The Yuan Yang Boy Skill you learned in your past life is also a secret physical skill. It leads to the same goal as this Tiger Play, though different in path. Since you can achieve success in that secret skill, you will have no problem with this Tiger Play."

"Black Owl" crouched down in the same manner, practicing the Tiger Stance. At first, his limbs were stiff, and when he lunged forward, it was like hitting a wall, and when he retreated, it was like dragging a mountain.

Jiang Shenhu's eyes were sharp as torches, and he saw the key to Hei Xiao's figure. Just as he was about to extend his finger to enlighten him, before he could touch him, he heard the child mutter to himself, "The Qi is concentrated in the shoulders, like a tiger gathering its strength, the intention is focused on the waist and spine, drawn but not released."

As he spoke, the muscles and tendons on Black Owl's back and shoulders seemed to be slowly combed by an invisible hand, flowing with difficulty with his movements. Although it was as sluggish as coarse sand grinding a pipe, it finally began to flow.

The Tiger's Grip is not about the physical act of shoving against the ground, but about activating the shoulder blades. Once the spine is as taut as a bow and the shoulders as towering as peaks, it is considered mastered. If you further activate all the major joints, it is considered perfected. Black Owl mastered it in just a few breaths.

He understood very well that Black Owl's physical body had been fully developed and trained by the Yuan Yang Boy Skill, and his practice of the Tiger Play Two Forms was not starting from scratch, but rather already had a profound foundation.

"Power arises from the ground, like a tiger kicking a rock!"

On the ground, the black owl moved forward and backward, its limbs and bones moving with ease, its body drenched in sweat.

His expression, as if his heart was filled with restless fury, was also as if he had been repeatedly tempered, and in the ancient and simple tiger play, his advance and retreat gradually showed signs of taming.

After seven rounds of repetition, Black Owl was drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

But strangely, in a posture without any support, it stood upright off the ground, its back straight, its tiger-like power even greater. Listening to its breathing under its nose, it was deep and long, clearly displaying a continuous and inexhaustible strength, having mastered the essence of the Tiger Crouching Form.

"You have mastered the two exquisite techniques. Next, you will take the family's secret medicine, communicate with the Yang energy of the Six Jia, and visualize the Tiger of Jia Yin."

When the divine intent of Jia Yin circulates within your body, the "Bird and Bear Chapter" will be considered complete, and you can then cultivate the second chapter, the "Jia Elephant Chapter"—the six Jia representing images, guiding the essence.

Jiang Shenhu handed a talisman and a book of explanation to Hei Xiao, saying, "This talisman contains the first three chapters of the 'Six Jia Spirit Flying Strategy Essence Book,' namely Bird Bear, Armored Elephant, and True Form, as well as a book of my insights gained over many years."

Your studies will be very demanding from now on. I know you are restless and difficult to control. It has already been difficult enough to confine you for twelve years. If I were to confine you further and force you to focus on your studies, it would be counterproductive. Therefore, I allow you to travel.

However, the two prefectures of Zhexiong and Guhe in Tiannan are currently facing a calamity. With your level of cultivation, you should not get involved in this mess. You can only wander around Xintai and Liyuan in Baoguang Prefecture. There is a high-ranking monk from Liuli Temple in Jinning, so you must not act rashly.

Therefore, as long as you don't cause trouble outside, given the reputation of the Jiang family, few people in the various orthodox and unorthodox sects will make things difficult for you.

However, you'd better avoid the whereabouts and residences of the prominent figures of Huangting Palace and Taiping Mountain. These kinds of people are powerful and have a long history of winning. Even the five tigers of my Jiang family admire one or two of them.

If you clash with them, you will ultimately be the one who suffers.

Furthermore, I know you might forget these warnings when you're angry, so I specially crafted a restrictive spell for you. Don't blame me for not warning you beforehand; if you truly break the law, this spell will be cast upon you, ensuring that any future violations of my rules will be worse than death.

After giving these instructions, Jiang Shenhu told Hei Xiao to go back and review his lessons.

Not long after returning to Yun Shen Abode from Liaohua Ting, Jiang Heixiao became restless and prepared to visit another elder brother who often came to visit him. Unexpectedly, this elder brother had already taken the initiative to come to his door.

(End of this chapter)